More crucially, would Chris Bell have risen above his troubles, and been able to avoid his fateful path to an early grave? Would Alex Chilton have been able to remain fully
focused and avoided becoming the erratic maverick that he has become? So many questions, and no answers that can be given with any certainty as we aren't granted the gift of knowing our alternative futures when we turn left instead of veering to the right. What is certain is that this much loved band couldn't sell shit when they were around, although their reputation was still quite high at that time.
I can't even claim myself to be one of the few who were into the band when they were nothing! My first encounter with Big Star was buying a 2-for-1 set which featured their first two albums - that must have been around 1978.
This boxset covers almost everything you might need from Big Star. All of the songs from their three albums from the 1970's are included, alongside other unreleased or hard to find songs from predecessor bands and solo activities. Most notable in the latter category are the tracks from Chris Bell's posthumous album. To cap this all of, the fourth disc features the three piece band in concert which, despite being a guitar down, still captures the verve of the songs perfectly as well as featuring a bunch of interesting covers.
I do say almost everything - whilst all of the songs are present in the case of #1 Record and Radio City some of the versions are alternative mixes or versions to that which appeared on the original album. Needless to say, the original albums have also been reissued so if you're feeling completist then these are needed purchases as well.
I can't even claim myself to be one of the few who were into the band when they were nothing! My first encounter with Big Star was buying a 2-for-1 set which featured their first two albums - that must have been around 1978.
This boxset covers almost everything you might need from Big Star. All of the songs from their three albums from the 1970's are included, alongside other unreleased or hard to find songs from predecessor bands and solo activities. Most notable in the latter category are the tracks from Chris Bell's posthumous album. To cap this all of, the fourth disc features the three piece band in concert which, despite being a guitar down, still captures the verve of the songs perfectly as well as featuring a bunch of interesting covers.
I do say almost everything - whilst all of the songs are present in the case of #1 Record and Radio City some of the versions are alternative mixes or versions to that which appeared on the original album. Needless to say, the original albums have also been reissued so if you're feeling completist then these are needed purchases as well.
The music sounds terrific with the electric material having a bite and attack missing from previous versions, with the acoustic songs having a brightness and depth which makes them sound extremely contemporary.
The third album still has the ability to generate opposing views. In one sense, it's very different from the band that recorded the first two albums but, on the other, it remains a compulsive listen. Certainly, over the years Alex Chilton has struggled to even hint at the quality contained here. Poor Chris Bell didn't have the chance of a tilt at failure.
What's not included are the recent reunion album, In Space, or the previously released live material. This may offend the completist, but I think the golden era of the band is best served by keeping a little distance from material that, however enjoyable, doesn't compare in quality to their 1970's work.
Listening to the albums now, it does seem apparent that there was always an edge to the band which would always just knock the edge off mainstream appeal. That's probably where the longevity in these albums is sourced, and which made it less likely that there was much hope in them scaling the heights when the albums were first issued.
The third album still has the ability to generate opposing views. In one sense, it's very different from the band that recorded the first two albums but, on the other, it remains a compulsive listen. Certainly, over the years Alex Chilton has struggled to even hint at the quality contained here. Poor Chris Bell didn't have the chance of a tilt at failure.
What's not included are the recent reunion album, In Space, or the previously released live material. This may offend the completist, but I think the golden era of the band is best served by keeping a little distance from material that, however enjoyable, doesn't compare in quality to their 1970's work.
Listening to the albums now, it does seem apparent that there was always an edge to the band which would always just knock the edge off mainstream appeal. That's probably where the longevity in these albums is sourced, and which made it less likely that there was much hope in them scaling the heights when the albums were first issued.
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